Propane: tank size and winter use

I have been looking at the 2552. The propane tank size seems small..probably fine for spring, summer and fall, but I wonder about winter. I have the following question:

1) the spec is listed as 10 gallons. Is this the tank size or the usable size. (You are only supposed to fill a tank to 80%, so if this was tank size you could actually only put 8 gallons in it.)

2) How long can you boondock.drycamp in winter weather i.e. temps in 30s and 40s, maybe 20s at night using the furnace with this tank size?

Thanks!

...Mike

I have been looking at the 2552. The propane tank size seems small..probably fine for spring, summer and fall, but I wonder about winter. I have the following question:

1) the spec is listed as 10 gallons. Is this the tank size or the usable size. (You are only supposed to fill a tank to 80%, so if this was tank size you could actually only put 8 gallons in it.)

2) How long can you boondock.drycamp in winter weather i.e. temps in 30s and 40s, maybe 20s at night using the furnace with this tank size?

Thanks!

...Mike

That's usable size.   The tank itsrlf is about 13 gallons.

Obviously propane use depends on how warm you kerp your interior and how exposed you are to direct sunlight (warmth)  during the day.  Also depends on if your refrigerator is on ac power or propane.   Presuming you are not plugged to shore power and kerp the temp st 68 at night, I would expect a full tank to last at least 2 weeks.   I have gone longer than that with my 2015 model 2551,but I run the generator during the day and use a ceramic heater and/or the heat strip to keep things warm during the day.    Obviously, the other reason I run the generator is to recharge the house batteries.

For temps below freezing expect the furnace to run long and often requiring additional batteries or overnight use of generator.  May wish to add a catalytic heater if not too high altitude.

For temps below freezing expect the furnace to run long and often requiring additional batteries or overnight use of generator.  May wish to add a catalytic heater if not too high altitude.

I doubt I'd ever run a generator or a catalytic converter during the night. I could always run the generator and an electric heater during the day.

You are right about battery draw by the furnace fan. But just taking the electrical out of the equation I am trying trying to figure how long the propane would last, worst case,  for winter travel.

Thanks!

That's usable size.   The tank itsrlf is about 13 gallons.

Obviously propane use depends on how warm you kerp your interior and how exposed you are to direct sunlight (warmth)  during the day.  Also depends on if your refrigerator is on ac power or propane.   Presuming you are not plugged to shore power and kerp the temp st 68 at night, I would expect a full tank to last at least 2 weeks.   I have gone longer than that with my 2015 model 2551,but I run the generator during the day and use a ceramic heater and/or the heat strip to keep things warm during the day.    Obviously, the other reason I run the generator is to recharge the house batteries.

Thanks for the info on the tank size!

I am surprised that you believe the tank would last 2 weeks. That would be great! I could probably live with a one week answer just not a few days as that would get very annoying.

..Mike

Quote from: donc13 on November 18, 2016, 12:28:21 pm

That's usable size.   The tank itsrlf is about 13 gallons.

Obviously propane use depends on how warm you kerp your interior and how exposed you are to direct sunlight (warmth)  during the day.  Also depends on if your refrigerator is on ac power or propane.   Presuming you are not plugged to shore power and kerp the temp st 68 at night, I would expect a full tank to last at least 2 weeks.   I have gone longer than that with my 2015 model 2551,but I run the generator during the day and use a ceramic heater and/or the heat strip to keep things warm during the day.    Obviously, the other reason I run the generator is to recharge the house batteries.

Thanks for the info on the tank size!

I am surprised that you believe the tank would last 2 weeks. That would be great! I could probably live with a one week answer just not a few days as that would get very annoying.

..Mike

I can only talk about my experience.   I have spent lots of nights on Walmart lots where temps from mid-teens on up and coach batteries are still fine in the morning.   Again, depends on how warm you want it.   I have been in near zero temps, but on shore power, and used... Maybe 1/10th of a tank of propane a dsy.   Now, admitedly, during daytime, I was driving and just using engine heater.   If you're talking mostly 40's and 50's I believe 2 weeks is reasonable, especially if you drive during the day.

No matter what, you'll need to run generator or drive to recharge house batteries during the day.

At 10 to 12 hours a day to run generator for air conditioning you can easily use 1/2 a gasoline tank (about 25 gals) every 3 or 4 days.